By Abid Imtiaz
Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water and irrigation in Punjab, Pakistan, supplying more than 70% of the province’s domestic, agricultural, and industrial water needs.
However, its quality varies considerably from one district to another, and in many areas it has deteriorated because of over-extraction, urbanization, industrial pollution, and agricultural runoff and casual attitude of public in particular. Moreover, clean ground water is wasted ruthlessly in household cleaning, washing of cars and in toilets. Pakistan nation has not so far developed an attitude of conserving clean water for our generations to come. It is also pertinent to mention that most of the public in rural areas drink water from hand pumps, motor pumps etc thinking it to be safe with no water testing procedure. With this most of our rural population is affected with frequent contaminated with water borne dangerous diseases.
Current Situation: Pakistan wide assessment on Ground Water Quality Analysis had been carried out by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and discovered higher levels impurities in ground water of Pakistan. PCRWR had undertaken various studies during 1999-2021(www.pcrwr.gov.pk) to assess the spectrum of groundwater regarding contaminations. A report ‘National Threat of Arsenic in Groundwater’ published in 2023 pointed out the dangers of dangerous contaminations in groundwater. Their report revealed that 62% of the samples in province of Punjab were unsuitable for drinking because of excessive dissolved solids, heavy metals or microbial contamination. The study identified several districts with very poor Water Quality Index (WQI) values, highlighting significant public health concerns.
Major Groundwater Quality Analysis: PCRWR report pointed that High salinity (Total Dissolved Solids – TDS) were common in southern and central Punjab, making water unsuitable for drinking in many locations. Arsenic contamination found in parts of Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, and nearby districts. Nitrate pollution caused by excessive fertilizer use and leakage from septic tanks, particularly around urban and agricultural areas. Microbial contamination present in shallow wells are often contaminated with bacteria due to poor sanitation and sewage infiltration. Heavy metals found in Industrial areas, especially around Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Kasur, have reported elevated levels of chromium, lead, and other metals from industrial waste.
Health Impacts: Poor quality groundwater can lead to diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid from microbial contamination. Kidney and liver problems from prolonged exposure to heavy metals. Dental and skeletal fluorosis where fluoride levels are high. Increased long-term cancer risk in areas affected by arsenic contamination.
Measures to improve groundwater quality: Prevention is better than cure, therefore, Punjab government could augment their efforts with the following measures:-
Establish regular groundwater quality monitoring across all districts.
Treat industrial wastewater before discharge.
Improve sewerage systems to prevent seepage into aquifers.
Promote efficient fertilizer and pesticide use.
Encourage rainwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge.
Install household or community water treatment systems in affected villages.
Conserve use of water in household washing and sanitation
Review of National Water Policy due of Climate Change.
New sensor water taps and toilet accessories be re-designed to conserve fresh water
Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing to identify contamination hotspots and support water resource management.
Public Health Engineering Department Punjab is providing safe ground drinking water to the Rural population of Punjab since 1960s’. Therefore, its expertise and well placed setups all over Punjab in this field be also exploited.
Conclusion: Water is life and clean drinking water is becoming scarce in Pakistan and this is being felt in Punjab as the most populous province. Cases of water borne diseases is increasing with putting financial burden on already stressed health sector. Adding to this problem is India controlling river waters in dry season and flooding in high monsoon season thus damaging the water distribution system and social/economic canvas of Pakistan. Therefore, time has come that we as a nation do value the use of drinking water with care and to save the natural ground water aquifers for our generations to come.
About the Author: Abid Imtiaz is a retd Govt officer from MoD & GIS Consultant, can be reached at abidimtiaz1963@gmail.com.
